(The pictures in this article are not of the actual car but very similar ones borrowed from Google)

In my previous COAL, my experiment with a European car did not go well. In fact, by this time, I had gone through four cars in two and a half years! I needed some stability and some reliability. As usual, I didn’t have much money but needed a car for work. My Dad’s co-worker’s husband owned a small used car business so Dad made a phone call and arranged a meeting. For $1,200, Dad’s friend hooked me up with as he put it, “a vehicle that will not last you a lifetime but is solid and will give you a few years of service.” I wasn’t so sure about that but I had to be at work on Monday so I became the owner of a 1988 Dodge Aries America that looked just like the above picture…with 153,000 miles? Uh-oh! However, the salesman said…”don’t worry about it…it’s fine!” Surprisingly, he turned out to be right!

What exactly is an Aries America? From the brief research that I did, I learned that the America package was also applied to the Omni/Horizon and was essentially a value package that included equipment that was originally optional at reduced cost. For its final year in 1989, only the America version was offered. My car’s interior looked identical to the picture above. Notice the wood trim and integrated cup holder. Another thing I noticed was the console mounted shifter. Prior to owning this car, I thought all K cars only came with column mounted shifters and bench seats. The bucket seats in my Aries America were actually quite comfortable.

It also came with this pivoting map light that folded neatly and unobtrusively into the passenger side sun visor that I found very useful. Although it kinda reminded me of the examination light in the dentist’s office. I was actually quite impressed with the level of equipment and comfort that the car offered. I know, I know…I’m gushing about a K Car! To top it off, everything worked, including the air conditioning! Under the dash was a push in kill switch that disabled the starter which required a special key to disengage. The installation did not look at all aftermarket but very professional and almost factory. I’m still curious as to how it got there. It seemed like overkill for a Dodge Aries. Albeit the most well equipped Dodge Aries I’d ever experienced.

The powertrain consisted of the venerable 2.2 Liter four cylinder good for 99 horsepower and 121 lb./ft. of torque and console mounted automatic with lockup torque converter. While not a hot rod, it did have adequate power on the highway and accelerated smoothly and did not feel at all underpowered. In the handling department, I noticed that it did not feel loose or wallowy, even at higher speeds. I also remember that it got better gas mileage than my previous cars. This was helpful because my job at the time involved a lot of driving around to different sites.

The car seemed too good to be true, especially for an eleven year old K Car with 153,000 miles. A trip to the mechanic a few months later revealed the reason. It would seem that the salesman really did do my Dad a favor when he sold me the car. Apparently, the engine and transmission were not original but were newer units recently swapped in. The drivetrain had far less than the 153,000 miles on the body. In addition, the entire front end had been recently rebuilt with heavy duty parts explaining the unusually tight handling. Moreover, the entire undercarriage and frame had been reinforced.

I would like very much to know what this car was originally intended for. I know that there was a police package available for the early cars, but I did not think it was still available in ’88. I have since learned that the local Fire Department where I bought the car used K cars as well as the State Government. I wonder if this was one of those vehicles.

This car turned out to be a great daily driver and long distance cruiser. It was economical, roomy and comfortable (I can’t believe I’m talking about a K Car). Ownership turned out to be a nice respite to the automotive troubles I had suffered of late. I do recall one repair when the Check Engine Light illuminated followed by a loss of power. It turned out to be a faulty injector. The repair was not cheap but it was really the only one I had to do on the car. It did not bother me because unlike my previous cars, the repair solved it and it did not have chronic systemic issues that led to my being stranded or unsafe. In fact, in a reversal of roles, the K car and I rescued a few people who were stranded or were having automotive issues. It felt good to have something reliable for a change.

The car served me and my fiance well. We took it on many trips, especially our wedding planning trips. It even helped us move when we consolidated our households a few months before the wedding. It also served us well through a brief period of unemployment, needing nothing and taking me on my job interviews. I eventually landed another job which paid substantially more than my last one. For me, this meant an automotive upgrade was in order. I ended up selling it to an older gentleman who was going through tough times. Having recently gone through a similar situation, I was filled with empathy and let him have the car for $400. I hope the car was as good to him as it was to me. My next COAL was very much influenced by the good experience I had with this O K Car.

K car is surpringly roomy, just too narrow. But with three people in front intended, it can’t be too bad comparing to real narrow cars today. For most K car, the front seat translates to : two people on front with a box of KFC in middle to eat on the way. Cup holders help with some drink in case of choking when driving

However the weight distribution is really weird. Not helped when I drive the extra length New Yorker Fifth Avenue, I was never able to slide the car even in snow.

I came fairly close to buying an Aries/Reliant station wagon in the early 90s. It was light blue on light blue but what made it very attractive to me was the 5 speed transmission. Unfortunately, it had high miles for the year and even though I seem to remember it had less miles than this car and was (still) rust-free, it was a K car.

I have yet to find another wagon with a manual transmission built by a domestic manufacturer.

I’ve seen a few Ford Focus wagons so equipped that were for sale, including one new on a Ford dealer lot in the mid ’00s, but of the not that many that were built most are in the hands of people who know what they have and are hanging on to it.

I also saw a manual Saturn LW200 that was on a used-car lot for almost two years, likely as much for the clear evidence of oil burning (greasy tailpipe) as the oddball spec. That’s why I rejected it anyway.

There was a fair number of these in our family over a 6 or 7 year span and they always proved to be, if less than exciting, lovable due to their loyalty and dependability. . . the polar opposite of every GM x-car that stumbled through. They looked and felt unsubstantial, but they held together mechanically, even as bits of plastic broke off and drifted away. As to the appearance, the success of early ’80s fad for cars that resembled kitchen appliances has a sociological explanation that goes beyond me, but I do remember how refreshingly efficient a face they presented in context, particularly the earliest models that were a bit less rounded in frontal aspect than this one. We bought into the belief that they were slippery even though they looked like Legos. Makes me wonder if there is any possible context in which family cars might get square again.

Why the constant apology about saying positive things about K cars? These cars were well thought out, well designed, practical pieces of transportation. They were made to appeal to the kind of person that, ten years later, would buy Camrys and nothing but Camrys. They succeeded, deservedly so.

I always find the internet dichotomy so fascinating: Blog posters love to constantly rail about how they just want a “simple, honest car”; but when that car comes along there seems to be a requirement that it be shunned in posts, because its not cool enough, or doesn’t show the owner’s motoring chops properly.

Any K-car that’s still on the road is at least 25 years old. They were inexpensive cars, often bought by fleets and rode hard and put away wet. It’s not surprising that any still on the road are going to be beat.

It was the K-car that turned my family away from GM for good. When I was really young, my parents had an Olds Omega which was a massive piece of crap. They then got an ’84 Plymouth Reliant (brown with gold interior) and I remember them saying just how much nicer and trouble-free it was than their earlier GM vehicles. They traded it in on an ’86 Plymouth Voyager minivan once the family outgrew the K-Car.
I think the reason why the Aries/Reliant K’s were successful was that they weren’t threatening but had up-to-date underpinnings and were mostly aggressively priced (particularly the later America models) – and weren’t the reliability nightmares that the X-cars were. As well, they were more ‘American’ than them – it was though Chrysler threw a Dart or Valiant into a dryer, subtracted a couple cylinders and added front-drive.
As to the dubious reputation which the K currently has, I’d say that more involves the image they had (staid, boring, cheap) than the fundamental qualities of the vehicles themselves. For their time, they really were probably the best American vehicles in their class

As a former K-Car owner, I love this story. Mine was purchased as a winter beater for $300. I put $200 into getting it up to snuff, and it ran flawlessly for 45k miles. The light blue metallic paint had burned off the horizontal surfaces and it had no options except a four speed manual tranny. Manual brakes, manual steering, and sans radio. I really miss that thing.

My extended family had three different K-cars; my parents an ’83 Reliant, my maternal grandparents an ’85 Aries two-door, and my paternal grandmother an ’89 Aries.

In the nearly 200,000 miles these three were used for the time I was familiar with them, there was a grand total of two problems – a wheel bearing in my parents Reliant and a transaxle in my grandmothers ’89 that was replaced under warranty.

Were they exciting? No. Did they do what they were intended to do? Yes. Did they do it in comfort? Yes, until I surpassed 5’8″ and had to sit in the back of the Reliant.

There is an article on a K-car derivative running this week. On Thanksgiving I found an ’82 or ’83 Reliant two-door with a 4-speed and no a/c. Let’s just say the K-car and all its permutations deserve some love.

Back in 1993 I went shopping for a Dodge Spirit, a similar car, for a growing family. They seemed to cover all the basics, but we got upsold the new Intrepid, as it was swoopy and “cab forward” and all. The built in child’s seat in the back of the Intrepid sealed the deal for the Mrs.

Later, a car dealer friend, who owned a Dodge franchise and a Lexus franchise, told me that when he sold a Dodge, he would never see it again in the service department, until it came in on a hook. The Lexus owners were diligent about the servicing schedule. I wonder how much the reputation of the Chrysler brands suffered from owners who never maintained their cars, due to either economics or ignorance.

An ’88 Omni 5 speed was my COAL, 253K miles, no major expensive repairs, endlessly dependable, 38 mpg…..saved me major bucks….maybe even allowed early retirement. Gone now but never forgotten! Everyone gets one great buy during their car ownership years, sometimes from the car you least except.

I used to think the K car was the most boring looking car I’d ever seen. Until today’s eggmobiles showed up. It actually looks a bit classy compared to them. And it was available as a 2 door. FWD was it’s only real negative issue. But compared to a new Kia Optima or Ford Fiesta 5 door, it was a breath of fresh air.

In an early (1981) Chrysler commercial,GM owners of X cars were asked to test drive a new Reliant sedan vs a Citation 5 door head to head.Most preferred the K over their present car.One even said “The Reliant K is a classy car”….I agree,the 81s with all the extra chrome and formal styling made the humpback Citation hatchback look gawd awful in comparison.Never mind all the recalls…..

I had one of the later K-car 2 door models, 2.2 engine, 4 speed manual, factory A/C, bench seat & vinyl interior. It’s dark red color and tan interior was called “classy looking” by more than one person.

Although not a stoplight racer, it was Plenty Peppy enough for the time period. I never cussed out it’s lack of power or slapped the dashboard in frustration (cough*Fiat128*cough).

The air conditioning was always more-than-adequate, no trim pieces fell off in my hand, was a reliable commuter, the first person that looked at It bought it at my asking price.

I agree that the K-Cars deserve a lot more respect than they usually receive. My personal experience with them is limited to a drive from Boston to Washington DC in a Dodge Aries rental in 1987, an experience that was 100% positive — it was a spacious and quiet car that was a very comfortable ride for a 450 mile road trip, both on the highway and in several big cities (Boston, New York, Philadelphia). I still often see examples of the Aries/Reliant alive and on the road where I live, which says something good about their long-term durability. They do seem like a modern Dart/Valiant, with four cylinders only.

I had the same experience with a one way rental from Philadelphia to Atlanta. An “invisible” dark blue 4 door Dodge Aries..ran flawlessly, cruise control was smooth,and I made it in *cough* record time (see “invisible!) 🙂

Before I moved into Houston I flew in to check out the area for business. Rented a K car (4cyl/auto) and covered the city. Could have been affected by a less than full tank (gauge looked full) but think I got over 40mpg. Comfortable and good in traffic. What not to like.

Never owned one but know people who did. One of chryslers better moves in an era when there weren’t many.

Incorrect.Convertibles got the console to hide reinforcements down the tunnel,but all other models the console was optional.A mini console was standard with manual trans cars,the full length one was optional.

We had an 88 Plymouth Reliant. My parents bought it brand new and drove it HARD for close to 180,000 miles. it was still in drivable shape when we sold it. The only mechanical problem it ever had was having a cylinder head replaced under warranty.

Just this morning, a very well preserved example parked next to me at Publix, the FL grocery chain with an unfortunate name. My iPhone battery was dead, darn. The elderly WW II original owner gentleman was friendly, and flattered that I was interested in his car.

It’s never let him down, though it had a/c work several times and other replacements consistent for an older well built car. He has no plans to trade her, he loves the easy size and visibility, and the memories of his late wife. He knows where the bumpers are. And hates those “TV sets in cars foolishness.” The blue velour and nice dash board design was cheerful. It was a treat, he even let me sit in it, and showed me the motor. I think he’s making a good call keeping her going. He got a tour of my LS, he thought it was nice, but joked that he would have no clue to even start it. I opened my hood for him: I swore he said where’s the beef, as my motor sits under those silly covers.

I know of a few older people who swore by their K cars.They wouldn’t let go of them no matter what they had to spend to keep them going.Dont question older people….they know a good thing when they see it.If only more people were as wise….

It is good to read a story about a ‘K’ car that was appreciated. I still drive one, no, several of it’s sister models. You’ve seen me here before defending these early FWD Chrysler products. Being in no financial position to buy new cars, my 1985 Chrysler Laser and Plymouth Voyager serve me extremely well. The many miles are on the bodies, and they are both well over 200,000 miles, while the running gear has been upgraded over the years. Fuel economy of my 4 cylinder Laser is 29 to 34 MPG depending on how I drive it. The Voyager has a 1991 3.0L V6.

I own an 88 Aries wagon.Bought it for $200 in 2009.Its been my daily driver since.It had 94,000 miles on it when I got it,and the right brake caliper was the only parts replacements (other than normal brake jobs).The muffler was original with a licence plate hose clamped over it to cover the hole in it.I replaced all the items that would normally go at this point and have had relatively trouble free driving for over 6 years now.No,I wont sell it,despite spending all but 2 years of its life in New England it is rust free,and yes,I drive it all winter long.Let the “smart” people out there have their Toyotas and Hondas they have to replace every 5 years….I will keep my 28 year old “appliance” and be a constant reminder to all in the area that Chrysler once made good cars,cars that are making their rotted out old Hondas,Subarus and Mazdas look far inferior.